HB461 (2025) Compare Changes


The Bill Text indicates a new section is being inserted. This situation is not handled right now, and the new text is displayed in both the changed and unchanged versions.

Unchanged Version

Text to be removed highlighted in red.

1 New Section; Language Requirements for Driver's License Examination and Examination-Related Materials. Amend RSA 263 by inserting after section 263:6-d the following new section:

263:6-e Language Requirements for Driver's License Examination and Examination-Related Materials.

I. All driver's license examinations and examination-related materials, whether in print or available digitally, shall be displayed or otherwise distributed in the English language only, except that American Sign Language shall be used for individuals who communicate using sign language.

II. The department of safety shall deny any and all requests, regardless of circumstance, for an examination in a language other than English or American Sign Language. A person required to take any examination as a condition for license renewal or reinstatement shall be required to take the examination in English or American Sign Language.

III. The commissioner of the department of safety and the director of the division of motor vehicles shall not acquire any digitally produced or printed material described in paragraph I of this section that is in any language other than English or American Sign Language, notwithstanding contractual agreements made prior to the effective date of this section.

IV. Any surplus non-English or non-American Sign Language examination or examination-related material remaining or existing in the possession of the division of motor vehicles after the effective date of this section shall not be distributed or displayed for any reason.

V.(a) No person may take any portion of a driver's license examination with the assistance of:

(1) An in-person translator.

(2) A mobile translation application on a personal electronic device.

(3) A translation computer program or translation software application on a desktop computer, laptop computer, or tablet.

(4) Any other device distributed to a non-English or non-American Sign Language speaker to assist that person with the translation of English or American Sign Language.

(b) Devices used to aid a person with hearing or seeing the English language or seeing American Sign Language shall be permitted.

VI. The department of safety shall adopt rules in accordance with RSA 541-A regarding this section.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.

Changed Version

Text to be added highlighted in green.

1 New Section; Language Requirements for Driver's License Examination and Examination-Related Materials. Amend RSA 263 by inserting after section 263:6-d the following new section:

263:6-e Language Requirements for Driver's License Examination and Examination-Related Materials.

I. All driver's license examinations and examination-related materials, whether in print or available digitally, shall be displayed or otherwise distributed in the English language only, except that American Sign Language shall be used for individuals who communicate using sign language.

II. The department of safety shall deny any and all requests, regardless of circumstance, for an examination in a language other than English or American Sign Language. A person required to take any examination as a condition for license renewal or reinstatement shall be required to take the examination in English or American Sign Language.

III. The commissioner of the department of safety and the director of the division of motor vehicles shall not acquire any digitally produced or printed material described in paragraph I of this section that is in any language other than English or American Sign Language, notwithstanding contractual agreements made prior to the effective date of this section.

IV. Any surplus non-English or non-American Sign Language examination or examination-related material remaining or existing in the possession of the division of motor vehicles after the effective date of this section shall not be distributed or displayed for any reason.

V.(a) No person may take any portion of a driver's license examination with the assistance of:

(1) An in-person translator.

(2) A mobile translation application on a personal electronic device.

(3) A translation computer program or translation software application on a desktop computer, laptop computer, or tablet.

(4) Any other device distributed to a non-English or non-American Sign Language speaker to assist that person with the translation of English or American Sign Language.

(b) Devices used to aid a person with hearing or seeing the English language or seeing American Sign Language shall be permitted.

VI. The department of safety shall adopt rules in accordance with RSA 541-A regarding this section.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.